Pocket Money Market Blog Overview: Kids n Cash

Never too young.

I think we all have times where we just can’t figure out where all our cash went. I am sure parents find this especially challenging. It is simply amazing how quickly an ice cream here or a bouncy ball there all just add up.

When my daughter turned six, I opened her a bank account. It is linked to mine, with very low fees and I’ll go into those details a bit later. She gets a monthly allowance and all her birthday and Christmas money paid into the bank. She has a card and can swipe and pay or draw at the ATM. Most cashiers are really sweet and patient while she keys in her pin and writes her “signature” on the slip.

She feels empowered and responsible. I save a ton of cash as she has to pay for all her own treats that fall outside of what I have agreed to pay which I will also get to in a later post. It is absolutely amazing how many things she now does not really want, if it’s coming off her account. The sweets consumption has halved. Purchases are carefully considered and quality has become a major consideration. We view her transaction history online regularly and she has a good understanding of her spending patterns, interest earned on savings and costs of transactions.

There has also been an evolutionary process. After some saving, her 8th birthday and Christmas, it seemed like the money would never run out. I was aware of some spending that I considered reckless or wasteful and tried to warn her that buying all your buddies ice creams was a bit over the top, but it fell on deaf ears. The independence went to her head a bit and as the amounts were not serious I thought I would just let it run it’s course. And so the day came where the account ran to nearly empty and allowance day was still two whole weeks away. Total devastation! There is no teacher like reality.

So the next phase in our financial education began. I refused to give her an advance on her allowance, but agreed to help her to earn some cash. Not by doing chores though, as these are a standard requirement. She had to come up with a plan to make something to sell or provide a service that had value. She is pretty crafty and quickly had a number of items lined up. One thing lead to another and I landed up holding our first “Pocket Money Market” for young entrepreneurs in our garden. It was an amazing success with children from 3 years old to 16 years old and you can see the pictures and report in its own post.

And so the Young Entrepreneurs Pocket Money Market came into being. I have researched this concept and found nothing for younger children, only really for teenagers. Well, we have clearly seen massive interest and meaningful advantages in nurturing entrepreneurial skills from a really young age, especially in a country facing the challenges that South Africa has.

It is now my intention to expand and roll this out first in the Cape and with a little luck, nation-wide. I will share information on:

Age appropriate business training info packs and tips including market research, product development and accounting – all in a fun, kid friendly format.

Actual events and Pocket Money Markets in different areas that you can attend and the children can earn real money, win awards and be introduced to marketing, upselling and competition.

Helping children get to grips with a general understanding of the value of money, rewards for hard work and good ideas, working smart, startup capital, expenses, profit and such like.

Various banking package options and how to maximise the benefits

I invite all interested parents, children, business people and possible mentors to participate in a variety of ways. If there are any companies or institutions that would like to offer any sponsorship that would also be fantastic.

*UPDATE* Some 4 years later we have grown with 300 kids trading & busking at different events, free workshops and awards. With youth unemployment at 52% self employment is an attractive option and the skills have become essential.

Young entrepreneurs at just 3 and 5 years old!Award timeOne of the proud winnersCareful counting of change and explaining that a float is not profit!A cunning array of goodies to tempt a wide range of customersLeyya Haarhof, overall winner of Entrepreneur of the Day, gets her certificate from Live Lighty rep, Anna

I will compile a comprehensive list of banking options for children and post next week. For now though, we landed up at FNB with a Fluid Account. Monthly fee is R6.00, its linked to my account but has own card. Full online services and safe as I can set limits and have sms notification, etc.